The hard truth in this modern age of technology is that consumers take online reviews seriously. In fact, a 2022 report by local SEO provider Bright Local found that 98% of the consumers surveyed read online reviews about businesses before contacting them. Almost 50% said they trusted online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. (Check out Polish Your Online Presence to learn more about the importance of online reviews.)
But when you open your business to online reviews, you must take the bad along with the good. How should you combat negative reviews—particularly fake reviews—that could potentially chase customers away?
In this episode of Straight Talk!, Dean Mercado, the CEO of Online Marketing Muscle, a Long Island, New York-based sales and marketing automation agency, talked to ISSA Media Director Jeff Cross regarding negative online reviews.
Mercado understands the impact of online reviews, especially on sites like Google, Yelp, and social media platforms. In the interview, he shared valuable tips on how to effectively manage, prevent, and even remove negative reviews to keep your business reputation intact.
Check out his “three-prong approach” on dealing with and—more importantly—preventing negative reviews by watching the video or listening to the podcast of the episode below.
